Impressions of Italy, A dream Trip

From the moment I arrived, Italy felt like a movie set—every corner, every street, every ancient building held a kind of cinematic magic. I was constantly in awe of how old everything is; it’s hard to wrap your head around the centuries of history standing right in front of you. The architecture, the narrow cobblestone streets, the medieval towns—it was all endlessly fascinating.
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Traveling through Italy with this group was a truly special experience. My husband (far left, with me beside him — camera always at the ready!) and I had never met Marsha and Dave before this trip. They’re  friends of Marybeth and Steve (far right), and the two couples had actually crossed paths once before by chance while vacationing in Italy — fate, perhaps!  One of our daughters is married to Marybeth and Steve's son, and another of our daughters is married to our  son-in-law, who is like family to them as well. So we share grandchildren. It didn’t take long for Marsha and Dave to feel like friends we’d known forever. Dave and John quickly bonded over shared interests in art and music, making our time together even more enjoyable.

One of the first things I noticed: there are dogs everywhere. They seem to be as welcome as the people, lounging in cafés, strolling through markets, or napping in shop doorways. We even had a dog take to us in our rented villa in Tuscany. He followed us everywhere, even when we went on walks. There was even a litter of puppies in the barn next to us. The above slideshow showcases some of them.

Italians are some of the friendliest folks I’ve ever encountered. Even when we didn’t speak the same language, they were eager to connect—with smiles, gestures, and patience. This was the driver that picked us up at the airport in Rome.
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Christina and Marybeth at our cooking class in beautiful Tuscany.

A waitress that we saw every morning in Venice became a friend.

Food, Drinks, and Fun Discoveries
Let’s talk food. Tuscany surprised me with its bread—unsalted! Even the butter follows suit. But the flavor of everything else more than made up for it. From hazelnut-flavored everything (Nutella heaven!) to gelato that somehow tastes better multiple times a day, my taste buds were in heaven. One culinary surprise? The beef stew. No vegetables, just incredibly tender, flavorful meat.The above version was served on mashed potatoes. Marsha was responsible for the yummy charcuterie we had at villa.  

Restaurants don't open until after 7 PM, but once you're seated, you're welcome to linger as long as you like. No rush, no pressure. Tipping isn't expected, and meals, surprisingly, are very reasonably priced—same goes for the grocery stores.
 And my new favorite cocktail? Amaretto sour—thank you, Marybeth!

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Tuscany’s Tranquility and Charm
Tuscany was breathtaking. Rolling hills, golden fields, and villas perched on quiet mountain tops made it feel like I had stepped into a dream. E-biking through the hills was one of the best things I've ever done. The scenery, the fresh air, the camaraderie of friends—it was all just magical.
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Staying in a secluded villa gave us a real sense of the countryside and the local way of life. We explored medieval towns full of history and hidden shopping gems. The house colors in Tuscany all seem to blend harmoniously—soft yellows and warm neutrals everywhere you look. Oh, and siesta time? It’s real. Plan your day accordingly—everything shuts down in the afternoon!
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Venice and Rome: Two Worlds Apart
Venice was so unique—impossibly picturesque, endlessly interesting. I could explore for days. For a more peaceful experience, get up at dawn. The quiet canals and sleepy streets are pure magic at that hour. 

Little Things That Made a Big Impression

• People-watching was a joy, especially seeing couples interact—so expressive and affectionate.

• Cappuccinos are divine—rich, frothy, and satisfying.

• April showers are definitely a thing. Bring a raincoat and a flexible attitude

And finally, traveling with like-minded couples turned a great trip into an unforgettable one. We laughed, explored, relaxed, and created memories I’ll treasure forever.


* Many thanks to my travel companions for the use of their photos to tell the story.
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